New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-21
4 HOT DEMOCRATIC FIGHT

THE FACTIONS AT SWORDS POINTS IN ROCHESTER,
AND MONROE COUNTY.
PRoM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
ROCHESTER Sept I0.-Tbe campaign of 1887 will
long be remembered by the Democracy OF Rochester
and Monroe County for the bitter disagreement
between the leaders OF the party In this vicinity The
origin OF the trouble dates back TO the Presidential
canI aign when it will be remembered by politicians
throughout the State the Rochester delegation OF
Democrat went to the Chicago Conve ution in
special the sides of which appeared the words
Not for Cleveland but for the beat to win
The hostility OF William Purcell and his friends is
still fresh in tho minds OF political observers. Ex
Senator George RaiDes took up neutral position In
this campaign and alter the election, was counted
rather being the side OF the newly elected
President while Purcell naturally was considered
violent enemy In the disposal oil the offices within the
gift of the President il wss naturally supposed that
names favored by Mr. Ranes would be the lucxy
The tat Offices those of postmaster at
y 1000 year and collector at $4,20O year. each
with long list of under appointments to be made No
action taken by President Cleveland until last
simmer whom suddenly the announcement was re-
ceIved here by wire that John w. Martin had re-
ceived the appointment of Collector and Valentine
Fleckenstsn that OF Postmaster Both were intimate
friends of Thomas Brown leading county politician
who hos long at swords ponts with Raines Ii
gradually leaked out that Browns visits and nfu
at Washington had caused this movement. To say
that there surprise and disgust among the Ranes
faction would be TO express it very mildly.
No chance for attacking the Brown Democrats In
retaliation has been afforded until this fall. Mr..
Ranes has powerful constituency in the city and his
influence in the municipal council IL very strong.
During August matters were quiet but trouble was
brewing below the surface and the first of this month
found the Raines men actively at work TO secure the
ward caucuses for themselves. The Brown men also
began work aud the result that during the
early part of last week contests between Democrats
in several wards thick and fast Bu. the
Brownies were match for tho Raincs men and
when the recent city convention tor the purposc OF
choosing three delegates to Saratoga was hold was
found that Raines had prat teal control As result
the Hon. Frederick Cook, Alderman William IL.
Tracy and Ald.rm II. @. Thayer. the three Raines
delegates we're elected wtbou. word OF opposition.
The Brown faction ia not quietod down. however,
but. it is learned is working in .be several TO
outside OF tho city, whio u respectable minority
scattered through ths wards 10 constantly on the
alert 10 note movements OF the opposin faction.
An part the affair to the Republicans, who
raily have been interested spectators, 10 the
clam that both factions have been open to concIlia
ton. Secretary OF State Cook would not OBJECT to
being sort OF mediator TO patch up peace until
after he takes his chances OF again running Tor office
He we'll knows that n united Democracy in Monroe
County means several thousand more votes tor him.
But Nj. Cooks efforts have proved futile aud though
talk lie circulated tor pUlicy's sake that the Ratchet
will DO buried, those who have watched the ahar
know that the breach il wide and deep.
"A indication Of the insecure feeling this state
Of AFFAIRS produces Ia the Democratic ranks, II may
be said that not nams mas thus tar been mentioned
~ Democratic candidate Tor State Senator or A
scnbl yman The tact IL that fes Democrats care.
under the circumstances, TO DO set the ticket To
be slaughtered and the same applies TO the Vfbce OF
AssemDy man IL is a setled fact that either Edmund
l.. Pitts. the present INCUMBENT or John w. Hannah
is 10 be tue Republican bVminee tor Senator, but
while thores rivalry, animosity wh teyer exists
between them Only one Democratic candidate IA
heard Of and that Is Charles II Bidwcll for Sheriff.
The Brown faction will say little of their Intentions
but il can safely bs said that OF Whatever nature they
may 10. these Intentions will be antagonstic to that
Of the Rain~s party.
Many Democrats vorkingmen and with the pres
prospects Tor strife tar sighted observers predict
that not few will be found this fail in the ranks ct
the Henry George followers The fact that d. e.
Feely, the Candidate OF the United Labor party for
Attorney General is a resident OF this city will also DO
an indictment TO thsm. Mr. Fcely Ia wcll-known
here able lawyer and 10 really popular with the
working classes lie defended the laborors last
spring who implicated In tho riots and has
always been known on the side OF the wOrkmen.
In years past trust worthy estimate could be OBJ
tanned OF the siren til OF the labor party 90 much
splitting has occurred its tickets at different cleo
tons This year. however tie feeling OF unity Is very
strong No section OF tho Union Labor party seems
10 be ia existence hero and its adhereDts, there be
any, are greatly scattered. Consequently IL can be
said that the United Labor vote will be heavy and
perhaps az tar as Rochester 10 concerned ,urpriss
many politicians. Ibe Fcely are well-organlze
and being that tho country 10 .her weakest
point havs tegan work in the towns although
several United Labor mass-meetings are 10 be held
hero before November